Cycle pedal with anchored reflector

ABSTRACT

The pedal comprises a rigid frame having a pair of spaced parallel legs, each of which includes upper and lower out-turned protective flanges flanking a web portion of the leg; the web portion carries a permanently anchored reflector element protected by the out-turned flanges. Over each leg and reflector element is telescoped an internally channeled extruded tread member or block to be engaged by the foot of a cyclist.

United States Patent [1 1 Pawsat [451 Jan.9,1973

[54] CYCLE PEDAL WITH ANCHORED REFLECTOR [75] Inventor: Carlton P.Pawsat, Maysville, Ky.

[73] Assignee: Wald Manufacturing Company, Inc., Maysville, Ky.

[22] Filed: April 29, 1971 [21] App1.N0.: 138,574

[52] US. Cl ..74/594.4 [51] Int. Cl. ..B62m 3/12 [58] Field of Search.....74/594.4

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,127,789 4/1964 Van De Loo..74/594.4 3,302,483 2/1967 Golden et a1. ..74/594.4 3,186,254 6/1965Golden et a1. ..74/594.4 2,478,735 8/1949 Anderson ..74/594.4

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 651,498 4/1951 GreatBritain ..74/594.41,236,493 6/1960 France ..74/594.4

Primary ExaminerMilton Kaufman Assistant Examiner-F. D. ShoemakerAttorney-J. Warren Kinney, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT The pedal comprises a rigid frame having a pair of spacedparallel legs, each of which includes upper and lower out-turnedprotective flanges flanking a web portion of the leg; the web portioncarries a permanently anchored reflector element protected by theout-turned flanges. Over each leg and reflector element is telescoped aninternally channeled extruded tread member or block to be engaged by thefoot of a cyclist.

' 16 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures IflVE/VTOR CARLTON P. PAwsAT CYCLE PEDALWITH ANCHORED REFLECTOR CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Relatedapplications are identified as follows: Carlton P. Paswsat, et al., Ser.No. 56,291, filed July 20, 1970.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cyclists using vehicular roads and highwaysat night, have been the victims of collisions resulting from inabilityof other vehicle drivers to discern the presence of cyclists in dimlight. To reduce the frequency of such collisions, reflectors have beenapplied to cycles in various ways, including the mounting thereof uponthe cycle pedals in such manner as to project areas of reflected lightto the vision of approaching vehicle drivers. The need for improvementsin the mounting of reflectors on cycle pedals is recognized herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The prior art is best illustrated in theCarlton P. Pawsat, et al. patent application, Ser. No. 56,291, filedJuly 20, 1970, which discloses cycle pedals having reflector elementswhich are secured relative to the pedal frame solely by means ofengagement with portions of a tread member carried by the pedal frame.While such pedals are highly efficient, damage to the tread member ofsuch a nature as to cause or result in loss or removal of the entiretread member per se from the pedal frame could result in separation ofthe reflector from the pedal structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The reflector element as herein disclosed, ispermanently fixed to the frame of the pedal, rather than to the treadmember, so that wearing away or mutilation of the tread member, or lossthereof in its entirety, will not defeat the effectiveness of thereflector element to flash reflected light warnings during use of thecycle. The reflector element, formed preferably of one or more strips ofacrylic resin or equivalent plastic material, may embody integral studsfor insertion into holes formed in the pedal frame web, which studsthereafter may be upset and headed at their free ends to provide apermanent anchorage upon the pedal frame. Studs or fasteners in otherforms may be employed for anchorage purposes, if desired.

In an alternative construction illustrated, the pedal frame web may bewindow apertured to receive an embossed portion of the reflectorelement, while the back of the element is held by a retainer strapriveted or otherwise secured to the pedal frame. In any case, thereflector element cannot be rendered functionally ineffective by loss ordisplacement of the tread member from the pedal frame.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view ofa cycle pedalembodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the pedal.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken on line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing a modificatron.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a pedal in further modified form.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section taken on line 7--7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, showing a modification thereof.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing another modification.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the pedal of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross-section taken on line I1Il of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-section taken on line 12-12 of FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the drawings, the numeral 16indicates generally the cycle pedal frame, which comprises a rigid metalstamping formed to provide spaced parallel legs l8, l8, and a connectingbase or strut portion 20. The base or strut portion 20 may be suitablyribbed as at 22 for purposes of reinforcement and rigidity, and maycarry a central dome or cap 24 adapted to cover or protect the outerpedal bearing which usually is confined in a raceway 26. A secondbearing cover 26 may be provided for the inner bearing of the pedal, asis usual. The pedal shaft or axle is denoted 28, and may terminate as ascrew-threaded stud 30 attachable to the crank or hanger of the drivesprocket, not shown.

The pedal frame legs l8, 18, disposed in spaced parallelism, arerigidified by means of upper and lower outwardly extended flanges 32,34, which may extend substantially the full length of the legs. Theintermediate portion of each leg may be referred to as the web or mainwall 36 of the pedal frame. The flanges 32, 34 are of substantial width,but preferably are not as wide as the width dimension of the web. Thereinforcing ribs 22 of strut 20 may extend partly into the webs 36, 36as shown.

The free ends of webs 36, 36 may be developed to provide tangs 38, 38which are receptive in slots 40, 40 of a connecting bar 42 that carriesbearing cover 26. The tangs may be bent over or twisted to lock the bar42 onto the ends of the webs or arms of the pedal frame, (FIG. I).

It is important to note that the pedal frame flanges 32, 34 are turnedoutwardly relative to the axis of pedal shaft 28, and are parallelthereto. The out-turned flanges are utilized to advantage for protectingthe reflector element and prolonging its useful life, as well as that ofthe tread member 44. This outward turning of the flanges causes them tooverlie and underlie the reflector, and thereby buffer the reflectoragainst twisting and compressive forces directed onto the tread memberincident to vigorous pedaling or braking of the cycle.

The tread member or pedal block may be approximately as long as a pedalframe leg, 18, and may be generally rectangular of cross-section. It maybe ribbed longitudinally as shown, to minimize slippage. The treadmember may be molded, extruded, or otherwise formed of a plastic orrubber-like material having a measure of inherent resiliency andflexibility, by preference.

Each tread member 44 may be formed with a longitudinal internal channel46 shaped and dimensioned complementarily to the cross-sectional shapeand size of a pedal leg 18, so that the tread member may beslid ortelescoped onto the pedal leg, substantially into end abutment againststrut 20.. Each pedal leg may be so sheathed with a tread member, afterwhich the bar 42 and its associated shaft and bearing parts may beapplied to the tanged ends of the pedal legs according to FIGS. 1 and 3.The channel 46 includes angularly disposed branches 48, 48 receptive ofthe outwardly turned leg flanges 32 and 34. The base of channel 46 isdefined by a rearwall 50 of the tread member.

' The channel branches 48, 48 are defined each by a lip 52 formed fromthe. material of the tread member, said lips being directed toward therear wall 50. The lips may be coextensive in length with the length ofthe tread member. Further, the lips are spaced from one another alongtheir length, in substantial parallelism, to provide an elongate window54 through which a reflector element maybe exposed, as will be explainedin greater detail hereinafter.

The reference numeral 56 indicates generally a relector, or reflectiveelement, which may be in the form of a strip of plastic material such asacrylic resin, or equivalent suitable material treated to possesslightreflective properties. It may be a laminated element, or a strip inone piece, as desired.

In accordance with the disclosure of FIGS. 1 through 4, thereflectorelement 56 comprises two coextensive laminations of plastic stripmaterial bonded together in face contact, said laminations being denoted58 and 60. The strip 58 is translucent, and is adapted for exposurethrough window 54. Strip 60 is a backing strip of plastic materialformed with one or more integral plastic studs 62 which are deformableby the action of heat and pressure. Light reflective substance may becarried by one of the laminations 58 or 60, for exposure through thetranslucent lamination 58. The laminations are to be chemicallycompatible for proper bonding.

The web 36 of each pedal leg is provided with holes 64 spaced apart anddimensioned to receive the plastic lugs 62 of the reflector element,with member 60 resting flatly against web 36 between the flanges 32, 34.Such placement of the reflector element then may be followed byapplication of heat and/or pressure upon the free ends of the insertedlugs, causing formation of an enlarged head 66 (FIG. 4), which securesthe reflector element permanently to the frame web. After fixation ofreflector elements upon the webs of both legs 18, 18 as above stated,the tread members may be telescoped over the frame legs to encase thelegs and their attached reflector elements, resulting in the assembly ofFIG. 4, wherein the reflector element is visible through window 54.

As FIG. 4 clearly indicates, the lips 52, 52 defining the window 54 bearagainst the flanges 32 and 34, and against also the longitudinal edgesof the reflector element, to preclude dirt and moisture from reachingthe back of the reflector element and the interior of the tread member.

It may here be noted that wear or damage inflicted upon the tread member54 (FIG. 4), even to the extent of its complete displacement from leg18, will not reduce the effectiveness of reflector element 56 in theperformance of its intended function, because of the anchorages at lugs62 which retain the reflector element upon the pedal frame.

FIG. 5 shows a slight modification of FIG. 4, indicating that thereflector element can be constructed .of a single strip of materialcarrying thedeformable lug 68 which corresponds to lug 62 of FIG. 4. Lug68 may be headed as at 66 by the application of heat and/or pressure,according to previous explanation.

The modification illustrated by FIGS. 6 and 7, is distinguished by thefact that the composite or bi-part reflector element 56 (FIG. 7) carriesno deformable lugs. Instead, the reflector element is drilled orapertured transversely to receive one or more rivets 70 or equivalentfasteners adapted to enter the holes of web 36. After insertion of therivets through the web holes, the rivets may be peened to establish theanchorage heads 72.

FIG. 8 is distinguished from FIG. 7 only in the provision of a one-piecereflector element 56, secured to web 36 by means of rivets or equivalentfasteners as disclosed in explaining FIG. 7.

The modification, FIGS. 9l2,.proposes the formation of an enlargedelongate aperture 74 in each web 36, flanked by a pair of holes 76, 76which are receptive of rivets or equivalent fasteners 78; 78. Theelongate aperture 74 is adapted to accommodate the embossed forward faceportion 80 of a reflector element which includes an enlarged baseportion 82. The base portion meets the reduced face portion to provideopposed parallel shoulders 84, 84 to abut the rear face of the webmarginally of aperture 74. Thus, the reflector element may be partiallyconfined by aperture 74.

To hold the reflector element in place, and to secure it uponweb 36, analongate metallic strap 86 is provided. The strap spans the length ofthe reflector element, and has end portions 88, 88 reaching beyond it tooverlie the web adjacent to the opposite ends of aperture 74. The endportions 88, 88 of the strap carry apertures 90, 90 to register with webholes 76, 76 and their respective fasteners 78. The anchorage of thereflector element is effected by placingstrap 86 against the back ofreflector base 82 while the reflector is supported in web aperture 74,and then inserting and setting the rivets 78 in apertures 76 and 90. Thestrap being thereby secured against web 36, it anchors the reflectorelement in web aperture 74 permanently and securely, so that thereflector element will remain in place upon the pedal frame irrespectiveof the presence or absence of a tread member'such as 44.

As will be understood, the reflector element 80 could be furnished inseveral short sections, rather than as one long section, withoutaltering the anchorage means of FIGS. 9. and 10. Also, the reflectorelement may be of either the laminate construction, or the one-piececonstruction previously referred to herein.

What is claimed is:

l. A bicycle pedal comprising a rigid pedal frame, an inner end plateand a shaft, the frame being of U- shaped configuratiom'the base. beingthe outer end plate and the legs having the inner end plate connectedthereto at the free end thereof, the shaft extending through the innerend plate and into a bearing carried by the base of the frame, the legsof the frame comprising a vertical web with flangesextending outwardlynormal to each longitudinal edge of the web, pedal tread blocks mountedon the legs, the pedal blocks having a channel therethrough, the channelhaving a base portion and outwardly extending branch portions adjacenteach longitudinal edge of the base portion, the configuration of thelegs of the pedal frame fitting in the configuration of the channel inthe pedal block, the pedal block being maintained on the legs of thepedal frame and being prevented from rotation on the longitudinal axisthereof, the pedal block having an outwardly facing side with alongitudinal opening therein, upper and lower wall portions of theopening extending toward the web and being inwardly of the branchportions of the channel, the opening extending the full length of thepedal block, the opening being of less width than the distance betweenthe flanges of the legs a light reflective element within the openingand being adjacent the web, and means permanently securing the reflectorto the web.

2. A cycle pedal as defined in claim 1, wherein the reflector is securedto the central web of the frame leg at a location between the saidoutwardly extending flanges thereof.

3. A cycle pedal as defined in claim 1, wherein the means forpermanently securing the reflector to the central web of the leg frameincludes an opening through said web into and through which a studintegral with the reflector projects.

4. A cycle pedal as defined in claim 1, wherein the means forpermanently securing the reflector to the central web of the leg framecomprises one or more fastener members which extend through alignedapertures in the reflector and web.

5. A cycle pedal as defined in claim 1, wherein the web of the leg frameincludes an elongate aperture dimensioned to receive a forwardlyprojecting portion of the reflector with a peripheral portion of thereflector engaging the rear surface of the central web adjacent saidaperture; means overlying and engaging the rear surface of thereflector, and means permanently securing said last mentioned means tothe rear surface of said web beyond the aperture therein.

6. A cycle pedal as defined by claim 1, wherein the means for securingthe reflector element comprises at least one fastener which passesthrough the web and its adjacent reflector element.

7. A cycle pedal as defined by claim 1, wherein the means for securingthe reflector element comprises an aperture formed in the web, saidreflector element including a deformable stud having an end insertablethrough said aperture, said stud end after insertion being enlarged topreclude withdrawal of the stud from said aperture.

8. The combination as defined by claim 1, wherein the means for securingthe reflector element comprises an elongate opening in the webdimensioned to receive therein a portion of the reflector element; and abackup strap secured to the web in substantial flat-wise abutment uponthe reflector element, for pressing said element against said web.

9. The combination as defined by claim 8, wherein the back-up strapsecurement is located near opposite ends of the reflector element.

10. The combination as defined by claim 9, wherein said back-up strapsecurement is located outside the limits of the reflector element.

11. The combination as defined by claim 8, wherein the reflector elementincludes a pair of shoulders along opposite side edges thereof adaptedto abut the frame leg marginally of the elongate opening, forstabilizing the position of the reflector element relative to said frameleg.

12. In a cycle pedal construction, the combination which comprises: apedal frame rotatable about an axis and including a pair of spacedsubstantially parallel elongate legs of approximately equal length eachhaving a free end, a pair of spaced substantially parallel rigidflanges, and a web intermediate said flanges; said flanges of each legbeing turned outwardly from the pedal axis to define an outer face ofthe web, said web including an opposite back face; a pair of flexibleelongate tread members substantially coextensive in length with thelength of the legs, said tread members each having formed therein anelongate open-ended channel receptive of the web and having branchesreceptive of the outwardly turned flanges of the web; said outwardlyturned flanges of the web overlying and underlying an intermediateportion of the tread member material to intercept and absorb forcesdirected laterally onto the tread member by the foot of a cyclist; awindow aperture in the tread member between said flanges; A reflectorelement and means for fixing said reflector element comprising anaperture formed in a frame leg; said reflector element carrying adeformable stud having an end insertable through said aperture, saidstud end after insertion being physically deformed to precludewithdrawal of the stud from said aperture.

13. The combination as defined by claim 12, wherein the means for fixingeach reflector element comprises an elongate opening in the frame legdimensioned to receive therein a portion of the reflector element; and aback-up strap secured to the frame leg in substantial flatwise abutmentupon the reflector element, for pressuring said element against saidleg.

14. The combination as defined by claim 13, wherein the back-up strapsecurement is located near opposite ends of the reflector element.

15. The combination as defined by claim 14, wherein said backup strapsecurement is located outside the limits of the reflector element.

16. The combination as defined by claim 13, wherein the reflectorelement includes a pair of shoulders along opposite edges thereofadapted to abut the frame leg marginally of the elongate opening, forstabilizing the position of the reflector element relative to said frameleg.

1. A bicycle pedal comprising a rigid pedal frame, an inner end plateand a shaft, the frame being of U-shaped configuration, the base beingthe outer end plate and the legs having the inner end plate connectedthereto at the free end thereof, the shaft extending through the innerend plate and into a bearing carried by the base of the frame, the legsof the frame comprising a vertical web with flanges extending outwardlynormal to each longitudinal edge of the web, pedal tread blocks mountedon the legs, the pedal blocks having a channel therethrough, the channelhaving a base portion and outwardly extending branch portions adjacenteach longitudinal edge of the base portion, the configuration of thelegs of the pedal frame fitting in the configuration of the channel inthe pedal block, the pedal block being maintained on the legs of thepedal frame and being prevented from rotation on the longitudinal axisthereof, the pedal block having an outwardly facing side with alongitudinal opening therein, upper and lower wall portions of theopening extending toward the web and being inwardly of the branchportions of the channel, the opening extending the full length of thepedal block, the opening being of less width than the distance betweenthe flanges of the legs a light reflective element within the openingand being adjacent the web, and means permanently securing the reflectorto the web.
 2. A cycle pedal as defined in claim 1, wherein thereflector is secured to the central web of the frame leg at a locationbetween the said outwardly extending flanges thereof.
 3. A cycle pedalas defined in claim 1, wherein the means for permanently securing thereflector to the central web of the leg frame includes an openingthrough said web into and through which a stud integral with thereflector projects.
 4. A cycle pedal as defined in claim 1, wherein themeans for permanently securing the reflector to the central web of theleg frame comprises one or more fastener members which extend throughaligned apertures in the reflector and web.
 5. A cycle pedal as definedin claim 1, wherein the web of the leg frame includes an elongateaperture dimensioned to receive a forwardly projecting portion of thereflector with a peripheral portion of the reflector engaging the rearsurface of the central web adjacent said aperture; means overlying andengaging the rear surface of the reflector, and means permanentlysecuring said last mentioned means to the rear surface of said webbeyond the aperture therein.
 6. A cycle pedal as defined by claim 1,wherein the means for securing the reflector element comprises at leastone fastener which passes through the web and its adjacent reflectorelement.
 7. A cycle pedal as defined by claim 1, wherein the means forsecuring the reflector elemenT comprises an aperture formed in the web,said reflector element including a deformable stud having an endinsertable through said aperture, said stud end after insertion beingenlarged to preclude withdrawal of the stud from said aperture.
 8. Thecombination as defined by claim 1, wherein the means for securing thereflector element comprises an elongate opening in the web dimensionedto receive therein a portion of the reflector element; and a back-upstrap secured to the web in substantial flat-wise abutment upon thereflector element, for pressing said element against said web.
 9. Thecombination as defined by claim 8, wherein the back-up strap securementis located near opposite ends of the reflector element.
 10. Thecombination as defined by claim 9, wherein said back-up strap securementis located outside the limits of the reflector element.
 11. Thecombination as defined by claim 8, wherein the reflector elementincludes a pair of shoulders along opposite side edges thereof adaptedto abut the frame leg marginally of the elongate opening, forstabilizing the position of the reflector element relative to said frameleg.
 12. In a cycle pedal construction, the combination which comprises:a pedal frame rotatable about an axis and including a pair of spacedsubstantially parallel elongate legs of approximately equal length eachhaving a free end, a pair of spaced substantially parallel rigidflanges, and a web intermediate said flanges; said flanges of each legbeing turned outwardly from the pedal axis to define an outer face ofthe web, said web including an opposite back face; a pair of flexibleelongate tread members substantially coextensive in length with thelength of the legs, said tread members each having formed therein anelongate open-ended channel receptive of the web and having branchesreceptive of the outwardly turned flanges of the web; said outwardlyturned flanges of the web overlying and underlying an intermediateportion of the tread member material to intercept and absorb forcesdirected laterally onto the tread member by the foot of a cyclist; awindow aperture in the tread member between said flanges; A reflectorelement and means for fixing said reflector element comprising anaperture formed in a frame leg; said reflector element carrying adeformable stud having an end insertable through said aperture, saidstud end after insertion being physically deformed to precludewithdrawal of the stud from said aperture.
 13. The combination asdefined by claim 12, wherein the means for fixing each reflector elementcomprises an elongate opening in the frame leg dimensioned to receivetherein a portion of the reflector element; and a back-up strap securedto the frame leg in substantial flatwise abutment upon the reflectorelement, for pressuring said element against said leg.
 14. Thecombination as defined by claim 13, wherein the back-up strap securementis located near opposite ends of the reflector element.
 15. Thecombination as defined by claim 14, wherein said back-up strapsecurement is located outside the limits of the reflector element. 16.The combination as defined by claim 13, wherein the reflector elementincludes a pair of shoulders along opposite edges thereof adapted toabut the frame leg marginally of the elongate opening, for stabilizingthe position of the reflector element relative to said frame leg.